Deborah Smith - Dec 25'
Q&A for Deborah
1. Your Connection with Bronwynne
Thank you again for introducing the wonderful Bronwynne Cornish to Public Record. I’ve admired her work for a long time, so getting to know her and seeing the beautiful relationship you’ve shared - It has been incredible. You both seem to support and respect each other deeply, through ups and downs (and I love the stories of your occasional breakfast catch-ups!). Could you share how you first met Bronwynne, and any strong early memories of that encounter?
Thank you for giving us this opportunity Yuka.
I have admired Bronwynne ever since I saw her mind-blowing project-
Dedicated to the Kindness of Mothers at the Auckland City Art Gallery: November 1983 - January 1984 & I met her not long afterwards.
I admired the way she was so singularly-minded, courageous, supportive of women & defiant of trends in the art world.
Bronwynne loves to share food, outings & conversation. She is brilliant in a storm.
2. Your Mother, Lorraine
(Please answer only if you feel comfortable.)
The loss of your beloved mother, Lorraine, is immense, and the way you’ve channelled your current state of heart and mind into this exhibition is very moving. It feels as though her spirit is present in this new body of work. Could you share a little about how you see your mother’s influence emerging in this latest collection?
There is always a fair amount of my mother's emotional DNA in my work.
Lorraine had a deep love of nature, from the immense sea to a small, blemished pohutukawa leaf & she always encouraged us to look closely.
She was a feminist, a championer of young people, an advocate for the underdog and more.
Making these photographs & baking her Almond Tart recipe, have kept her close in recent times.
3. Collaborating with “Mudlurk” (Bronwynne)
Have you collaborated with Bronwynne in the past? For this exhibition, how did you imagine your photographs sitting alongside her clay works in The Departure Lounge?
My brother Mark & I worked with Bronwynne in 2013 on her book Mudlark: Bronwynne Cornish. It originally accompanied her exhibition at the MTG, Napier. She commissioned us to make a series of black & white portraits of her works with their owners in their natural habitats.
It was a project we both enjoyed very much.
For this show, I listened closely to Mudlark's plans and responded emotionally, visually and geographically.
Maungawhau is an important site & entity for us both. I was thinking a lot about Lorraine, mothers & mothering, grief & circularity.
4. Bronwynne’s Works in Your Home I feel very privileged to have visited your beautiful home, filled with books, artworks, letters, records, natural foliage, and many treasures. I noticed Bronwynne’s works thoughtfully placed throughout your space, almost like guardians. Do you have a favourite piece of hers? And does it carry any special story?
The cat Bronwynne made for my brother Tyrone after he died is my favourite piece. It's a genius memorial. It even has a cavity where you can write letters to him and burn them once a year.
And I'm very fond of the one armed, spotted mouse who came from the infirmary in Bronwynne's studio, for me last Christmas.
Bronwynne's works operate as guardians and taliswomen in our home. They move around the house and occasionally depart for a while to be in an exhibition. It's great to share them. They are widely loved and appreciated. Modern life can feel totally devoid of magic at times and she fills this need.
5. Your Playfulness and Wit I’ve always loved the humour, wit, and playful sophistication in your black-and-white photography. Are there recurring themes or ideas you find yourself returning to in your practice?
Trees, girls, grief & poetry.
6. The Cloud Workshop
You’ve been running your incredible Cloud Workshop for bereaved children for over 17 years! such a milestone. You’ve given so much love, support, and creative space to the community, and your generosity is felt by everyone around you. With all the deep knowledge and care you pour into the workshop - I had to acknowledge that here before moving to the last questions. You have my absolute respect. Is there a new challenge or direction you hope to explore next year?
Thank you.
I acknowledge the huge amount of people who work tirelessly alongside me to keep Cloud going- the volunteers, the Finns who provide us with a studio- A Room of our Own. Nico and all the strangers who contribute to us. Plus the families and the kids.
Next year, I would love to have more guest artists running workshops.
It's a conscious decision to keep Cloud analogue.
It's very rare to see a phone or device at Cloud- I try to give kids a break from all that....
I hope to keep Cloud running for as long as it's exciting & the kids keep showing up. It's an extraordinarily courageous & beautiful community.
Interviewer by Yuka O'Shannessy / Public Record
Photo by Masami Ono
